April 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Shimming?

 

Yes. They are talking about placing a shim under the blade to increase the tension and curve, making the razor more aggressive.

 

No shave today I was up almost 20 hours yesterday so I was pretty exhausted this morning. Maybe when I get home tomorrow morning I'll have enough energy.

 

This will be my first focus. I followed the 30 day rule but have never done a focus. I am going to focus on my Fatboy. I have had decent shaves with it but never a really good or great one. I want to get dialed in on it.

 

I may not be the best one to respond, as I get 20 plus shaves out of a GEM stainless coated SE blade. I have gotten between 15 to 20 shaves with the Chinese schick injector blade.

 

I just picked up my Italian barber purchase..... of ARKO and Derby menthol cream..... I bet that confused them!!!
For S and giggles, I decided to try the arko with my first DE razor I ever used....way back in November: the Schick Krona. I used the Wilkinson Sword blade that I left in the razor number of shaves on the blade unknown. I used my cheap, trusty Wilkinson sword boar brush.
The opening of the Arko stick was in some ways anti-climatic. I have no sense of smell, so there was no overpowering olfactory response. Of course, SWMBO is off at work, so there is no feedback until tomorrow.
I got a great three pass DFS+ to BBS shave. I think I will keep this combo for the April focus...pending mama's vote on the Arko smell.

 

I'm still trying to understand the hate behind Arkos scent. It was almost a let down it didn't smell bad when I opened it up lol

 

I don't get the controversy either. It smells pretty much like Ivory bath soap to me. But then again, I wear the Veg too.

 

Since I just acquired my first slant, the 39c, my 30 day focus will be perfecting the technique with it and trying out different blades to see which ones perform the best for me.

 

Welcome to the thirty day thread! Glad you joined us!

 

I started my focus this morning. It had been a few weeks since I had shaved with the FB, and now I know why I struggle. I have a hard time getting the angle right with this head for some reason. I have a slim and a couple of SS which I don't have the same problem. But, this why I wanted to work on this razor, so I am sure I will get it figured out.

 

This month's focus will be on the RazoRock Bamboozled RAKE OC razor for me, with a secondary focus on reestablishing confidence in my ATG passes. Blades, soaps/creams, and aftershaves will vary as I figure out which work best with that razor and my face.

 

04/01/2015
Prep – MR GLO
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather Pro (2)
Brush – Rubberset 400-3 with WSP HMW
Lather – Soap Commander Confidence
Post - Witch Hazel and CC Bay Rum AS



Fantastic 2 pass shave this morning. Decided to mix things up this morning. The first pass was ATG and the second pass was XTG with one small touch up on my chin. This resulted in a near BBS shave. Not prefect but as close as I'll ever get on a work morning. Happy Wednesday.

 

It is now about 12 hours post shave, and it still really feels good! I checked with mamma, and she says Arko smells "fresh" so that is a go for the Arko April!

 

What attack angle do you suppose your shooting for? Are you too high or too low?

welcome back! Are OC razors generally good to you?

The Mongoose razor is one of the coolest looking models ever built. If anything was gonna reignite my RAD!

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 1, 2015 - Week 1 Day 4
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - VDH Boar
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB & '59 Gillette Superspeed
Blade - (4) (4)
Post - Alum & Proraso

Well for those betting on seeing some blood you got your wish. Barely. Decided to try the second pass today with the CJB. Face wasn't too tough to figure out and get done, but the neck requires an entirely different grip. Very awkward feeling but I went for it and got a minor nick on my neck just above my adam's apple. Other than that no problems other than just having difficulty getting the same level of shave on my neck as my face. Finished the two passes then went back over my neck with the Superspeed to even it up. Day four on both blades. With no more work than the Voskhod is getting it may last the same number as the Kai. Happy April everyone!

​

 

It's like a giant Schick injector in a lot of ways. The biggest difference I have found apart from the size is the quality of the blades compared to the Chinese Schick blades. Really not a bad choice at all in blades and they are just stupid sharp. So sharp they allowed me to be stupid and go ATG for the 1st pass

 

That's an understament. There are a few areas on my neck where the handle gets in the way, or I just can't see what I am doing with mine. If you figure out a way to hold it to hit these spots, I would be happy to hear about it.

 

I'm thinking a third hand might work.

 

Will be joining you gentlemen tomorrow. I inadvertently stumbled onto a blade that may give me my first ever 4th shave. I have to find out tonight or my curiosity will kill me. See here:

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/sputnik-blades-how-are-these-not-a-thing.44263/

I will still be watching to see how you all do today